Meet Donna Wood: Helping Educate Small Businesses about SBA Programs

When a friend or family member asks what you do to help small businesses, what do you say? 

What’s your favorite thing about what the SBA does for small businesses?

My favorite thing is Small Business Week.  I had opportunities to work during National Small Business Week and talk to the small business owners face-to-face.   SBA selects small business winners from different categories throughout the United States. 

Is there a particular small business “success story” that comes to mind when you think about how the SBA helps people?

I provide assistance to create the Agency Financial Report (AFR) by researching and reviewing information about small businesses.  In the AFR, we feature small business “success stories.” 

I vividly remember the success story about Warren Brown, small business owner of CakeLove, in Washington, DC.  He started the business in 2002.    Mr. Brown gave up a promising career in law to bake cakes.  He loved baking cakes and wanted to feel his passion for work. Therefore, he got an SBA-guaranteed small business loan and has been successful. He was named 2006 Small Business Person of the Year for Washington, DC.  He has been recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit by a number of local and national media outlets including the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today Show.  He has opened up seven retail stores in the metropolitan area.  I have purchased his baked goods, and they are delicious.

Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners out there?

It is important to have knowledge and be informed about SBA programs and resources.  The new SBA website provides valuable information for small businesses.  A good suggestion is to start a business relationship with your SBA representative and participate in the outreach events. 

Anything else to add?

“Success should be judged by results, and data is a powerful tool to determine results. We can’t ignore facts.  We can’t ignore data.” – President Obama, July 24, 2009

Meet the SBAis a series of features of SBA employees – both in Washington, D.C., and around the U.S. – who work every day to help small businesses grow and create jobs.  Employees were nominated by their colleagues to be recognized during Public Service Recognition Week 2011.